“Those who have sent apology letters, the Institute is satisfied with their response. Furthermore, those who have replied to show-cause, their issue is being considered positively,” added the source.
According to sources, most of the replies to the show-case notices are similar and stated that the letter sent to the administration after the extraordinary general body meeting (EGBM) of IITTA was not a ‘mass representation’ but an endorsement to the resolution taken by IITTA.
In one of the replies it states, “To the best of my recollection, the document, titled “EGBM meeting”, was merely a record of association’s consensus on demands, decisions and resolution and not of the nature of a letter or representation addressed to any specific authority of IIT Kharagpur. Then, how do you establish that the alleged joint representation was addressed to a particular authority of the Institute?”
The letter further stated, “In conclusion, I deny the statement that I was one of signatories to the mass representation addressed to the Registrar, IIT Kharagpur dated 28.11.2024. Therefore, I request you withdraw the memorandum/show-cause notice issued to me and expunge the same from my personal file.”
According to sources, the Institute is carefully going through the responses and is expected to take the necessary steps. What started with a letter to the HRD alleging nepotism and irregularities, prompted show-cause letters from authorities to four office bearers of IITTA, the issue snowballed after 85 faculties (including IITTA Office bearers) and members held an extraordinary general body meeting (EGBM) on November 28 and threatened to go on a hunger strike if the decision was not rolled back. Soon after, all 85 faculties were showcaused by the Institute. Both — the faculty, which has been ‘show-caused’ and the Institute stood firm on its grounds.
Three HoDs (Mathematics department, Artificial Intelligence and chairperson Central Research Facility, Life Science division) were removed whose names were in the list of faculties who were served notices.